Petch Petpailin

Petpailin, or Petch, is a Thai translator and writer for The Thaiger who focuses on translating breakingThai news stories into English. With a background in field journalism, Petch brings several years of experience to the English News desk at The Thaiger. Before joining The Thaiger, Petch worked as a content writer for several known blogging sites in Bangkok, including Happio and The Smart Local. Her articles have been syndicated by many big publishers in Thailand and internationally, including the Daily Mail, The Sun and the Bangkok Post. She is a news writer who stops reading news on the weekends to spend more time cafe hopping and petting dwarf shrimp! But during office hours, you can find Petch on LinkedIn and you can reach her by email at petch@thethaiger.com.
  • Phuket NewsPhuket shop owner criticised for racist gesture against Chinese tourist | Thaiger

    Phuket shop owner criticised for racist gesture against Chinese tourist

    An elderly shop owner in Phuket faces criticism for her racist behaviour toward a Chinese tourist in a viral video shared on the Douyin platform. The clip showed an elderly Thai woman, described as the shop owner, arguing with a Chinese woman. In the footage, the shop owner in a red dress is seen shouting and making gestures including sticking…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya man allegedly shoots himself in face while cleaning gun | Thaiger

    Pattaya man allegedly shoots himself in face while cleaning gun

    A Thai man is in critical condition after he was shot in the face at his home in Pattaya while cleaning a firearm, with police saying they have not ruled out whether the incident was an accident caused by recklessness or involved other motives. Bang Lamung Police Station officers and rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Foundation were called to…

  • Pattaya NewsChinese man arrested for scamming Pattaya student out of 1.9 million baht | Thaiger

    Chinese man arrested for scamming Pattaya student out of 1.9 million baht

    Pattaya police arrested a Malaysian-born Chinese man for swindling more than 1.9 million baht from a Thai university student in a call centre scam. The 20 year old student filed a complaint with Mueang Pattaya Police Station on February 10, saying he was contacted by someone posing as an employee of a mobile service provider. The caller accused him of…

  • Thailand NewsEx-MFP leader posts Valentine’s photos with actress after dating rumours | Thaiger

    Ex-MFP leader posts Valentine’s photos with actress after dating rumours

    Former Move Forward Party leader, Pita “Tim” Limjaroenrat, publicly confirmed he is in a relationship with Thai actress and singer Arachaporn “Goy” Pokinpakorn, sharing photos together on Valentine’s Day, February 14. During the General Election campaign period, Pita returned from abroad to help the People’s Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut. Alongside his political activity, public attention also focused on his…

  • Thailand NewsThai masseuse in Germany sued for providing ‘special service’ without consent | Thaiger

    Thai masseuse in Germany sued for providing ‘special service’ without consent

    A Thai masseuse in Germany has to pay €1,000 in compensation to a male client after she sexually assaulted him by providing “special services” without consent. The complainant, a 26 year old German software engineer, identified only as Ben, reported the sexual assault to police two days after it occurred at a massage shop on Osloer Straße in Berlin. The…

  • Thailand NewsSi Saket MP candidate denies chasing teen girl for sexual purposes | Thaiger

    Si Saket MP candidate denies chasing teen girl for sexual purposes

    A candidate for the position of Member of Parliament (MP) in Si Saket denied attempting to take a 16 year old girl away from her parents for sexual purposes. He claimed that his intentions were good and that he only wanted the girl to attend school. A viral video showed the MP candidate, whose identity remains undisclosed, chasing after the…

  • Thailand NewsTaiwanese man arrested for unlicensed dental clinic in Phuket | Thaiger

    Taiwanese man arrested for unlicensed dental clinic in Phuket

    Police raided an unlicensed dental clinic in Phuket yesterday, February 12, and arrested a Taiwanese man accused of providing treatment without permission. Wichit Police Station officers, working with the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, carried out the operation at 6.10pm at Sunrise Smile Dental Clinic, located on the second floor of a building behind a department store in Wichit sub-district, Mueang district,…

  • Thailand NewsSongkhla teacher denies mistreating student as motive for fatal shooting | Thaiger

    Songkhla teacher denies mistreating student as motive for fatal shooting

    A male teacher denied claims that he mistreated the younger sister of an 18 year old gunman in a fatal shooting at Phatongprathan Kiriwat School in Hat Yai district, Songkhla, on Wednesday, February 11. The teenage suspect, Khemmanan, also known as Khem, entered the school at about 4pm and held students and teachers hostage before opening the fire. The principal,…

  • Politics NewsECT rejects Chon Buri vote recount request, cites lack of corruption evidence | Thaiger

    ECT rejects Chon Buri vote recount request, cites lack of corruption evidence

    The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) formally rejected a request for a vote recount in Chon Buri’s District 1, stating there was no concrete evidence to support allegations of corruption. On February 9, a group of voters gathered at a badminton court in Chon Buri province, which had been used to store ballots from the District 1 polling station, after…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya hotel staff confronts foreign couple over sex near spirit house | Thaiger

    Pattaya hotel staff confronts foreign couple over sex near spirit house

    A foreign man allegedly assaulted a hotel employee in Pattaya who sprayed water over him and his girlfriend for engaging in sexual activity near a spirit house outside the property late at night. The incident came to light after a 41 year old Cambodian staff member at Dream Hotel Pattaya, Piatra, shared a video online exposing the couple’s behaviour. The…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya man stabs British tourist in Pattaya over drug dispute | Thaiger

    Pattaya man stabs British tourist in Pattaya over drug dispute

    A Thai man stabbed a British national outside a convenience store in Pattaya earlier today, February 13, claiming the foreigner punched him and broke his tooth after he insisted he was not a drug dealer. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were alerted to the incident at 1.29am at a convenience store along Jomtien Beach Road. Police arrived at the…

  • Thailand NewsThai man arrested for firing shots at renowned late politician’s home | Thaiger

    Thai man arrested for firing shots at renowned late politician’s home

    A Thai man, believed to be under the influence of drug, was arrested after firing multiple gunshots into the air at the luxury residence of late politician Chonsawat Asavahame in Samut Prakan province. Officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 10am today, February 10. The shooting took place at Chonsawat’s residence in the…

  • Thailand NewsUdon Thani woman loses car and 80000-baht amulet to online date | Thaiger

    Udon Thani woman loses car and 80000-baht amulet to online date

    A Thai woman lodged a police complaint after a man she met online stole her car and a valuable Buddha amulet worth more than 80,000 baht following an in-person meeting at a resort in Udon Thani province. The 50 year old victim, identified only as Bee, filed a complaint at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station yesterday, February 9. She accused…

  • Thailand NewsBig Joke’s wife wins defamation lawsuit over affair accusations | Thaiger

    Big Joke’s wife wins defamation lawsuit over affair accusations

    The Civil Court ordered a Thai woman to pay 8 million baht in compensation to the wife of former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Surachate Hakparn, widely known as “Big Joke”, after ruling that she falsely accused the police officer’s wife of having an affair with her husband. The ruling was delivered yesterday, February 9, concluding a civil…

  • Phuket News2 South Korean women wanted for swimwear theft in Phuket | Thaiger

    2 South Korean women wanted for swimwear theft in Phuket

    Two South Korean women pretended to try on swimwear at a shop in Phuket before stealing the clothing before fleeing the scene yesterday, February 9. The incident occurred at Plaifah Beachwear yesterday. A shop employee later released CCTV footage of the theft on social media and appealed to the public for help in identifying the suspects. According to the staff…

  • Thailand NewsIndonesian and Malaysian men arrested in Udon Thani car break-in theft | Thaiger

    Indonesian and Malaysian men arrested in Udon Thani car break-in theft

    Police in Udon Thani arrested an Indonesian man and a Malaysian man for breaking into a parked car and stealing cash and a gold accessory from a Thai woman, while a third foreign suspect remains at large. The victim, Napasorn, 48, filed a complaint with Mueang Udon Thani Police Station on February 3. She told officers that she withdrew 500,000…

  • Bangkok NewsFire damages 28 shops at Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok | Thaiger

    Fire damages 28 shops at Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok

    A major fire broke out at Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok late last night, February 9, damaging at least 28 shops. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire, while the total value of the losses has yet to be confirmed. According to ThaiRath, the fire was first reported at around 10.42pm near Gate 1 of the market…

  • Phuket NewsCalls for action after foreign motorcyclist confronts Phuket schoolgirl | Thaiger

    Calls for action after foreign motorcyclist confronts Phuket schoolgirl

    A viral video showing a foreign motorcyclist aggressively threatening a young Thai student and her guardian in the Patong area of Phuket sparked public criticism and demands for deportation. The video was shared on Facebook on Friday, February 6, by Jeerawut Wangnurak, who condemned the foreigner’s behaviour. In his caption, Jeerawut wrote… “Have you ever seen Thai people without smiles?…

  • Thailand NewsMarried woman faces death threats from controlling online date partner | Thaiger

    Married woman faces death threats from controlling online date partner

    A married Thai woman accused an online date she met through a game of controlling her daily life via CCTV cameras, forbidding her from being intimate with her husband, and repeatedly threatening to kill her and her family members. The woman shared her ordeal with Hone Krasae on Channel 3, saying she decided to speak out publicly after living in…

  • Thailand NewsChinese man critically injured after mysterious fall from Chon Buri hotel | Thaiger

    Chinese man critically injured after mysterious fall from Chon Buri hotel

    A Chinese man sustained serious injuries after a mysterious fall from the fourth floor of a hotel in the Na Kluea area of Chon Buri province early yesterday morning, February 8, prompting an ongoing police investigation. Rescuers from Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan Foundation were alerted to the incident at around 3am at a hotel in the Na Kluea area of Bang…

  • Koh Samui NewsFunds raised after British tourist critically injured in Koh Samui motorcycle crash | Thaiger

    Funds raised after British tourist critically injured in Koh Samui motorcycle crash

    The family of a British man launched a fundraising campaign after he was left in critical condition following a serious motorcycle accident on Koh Samui, an island in Surat Thani province, Thailand. The victim, Tiger Duggan, a 23 year old British national, travelled to Thailand with a friend to celebrate his birthday. According to his family, they arrived in the country…

  • Phuket NewsColombian man arrested over fatal shooting of Iraqi tourist in Phuket | Thaiger

    Colombian man arrested over fatal shooting of Iraqi tourist in Phuket

    Police arrested a Colombian national in connection with the fatal shooting of an Iraqi tourist in the Patong area of Phuket on Saturday, February 7. Officers confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody on Sunday, February 8, following an intensive manhunt led by Patong Police Station. The victim was identified as a 24 year old Iraqi man, Ameer Mundher Mahmood.…

  • Politics NewsBallot-tearing error leaves Nan to faces possible re-election | Thaiger

    Ballot-tearing error leaves Nan to faces possible re-election

    A serious error was reported at a polling station in Nan province in northern Thailand during the 2026 General Election on Sunday, February 8, after a polling officer mistakenly tore up dozens of ballot papers for the constituency-based Parliamentary election. The incident occurred at polling station unit 3, located inside Baan Sri Kird Hall in the Chai Sathan sub-district of…

  • Politics NewsAnutin declares unofficial victory as Bhumjaithai leads 2026 General Election | Thaiger

    Anutin declares unofficial victory as Bhumjaithai leads 2026 General Election

    Acting Prime Minister (PM), Anutin Charnvirakul, announced an unofficial victory for himself and the Bhumjaithai Party in the 2026 General Election last night, February 8, after the party secured the highest number of seats in Parliament based on a 94% vote count. The General Election was held nationwide yesterday. According to the latest update reported by TNN News this morning,…

  • Thailand NewsFinancial stress cited after Thai man fatally stabs his mother | Thaiger

    Financial stress cited after Thai man fatally stabs his mother

    A Thai man fatally attacked his mother at their shared home in Samut Prakan province yesterday, February 5. His stepfather believed the murder was triggered by financial stress and unemployment. The incident occurred yesterday at a house in the Bang Chak sub-district of Phra Pradaeng district, Samut Prakan. The 44 year old victim, Nokkaew, was attacked by her 22 year…

  • Koh Samui NewsNorwegian man arrested for assault and car theft on Koh Samui | Thaiger

    Norwegian man arrested for assault and car theft on Koh Samui

    Police on Koh Samui arrested a Norwegian man after the physical assault of a Thai driver, the theft of a pickup truck, and a high-speed chase across the island. Officers from Koh Samui Police Station were alerted to the incident after receiving reports of a physical assault and vehicle theft in the Mae Nam sub-district of Koh Samui. The incident…

  • Koh Samui NewsRussian man found dead on beach below Koh Samui viewpoint | Thaiger

    Russian man found dead on beach below Koh Samui viewpoint

    A Russian tourist was found dead on a beach below a viewpoint on Koh Samui in Surat Thani province, with police believing the incident was most likely an accident. The body was discovered on yesterday, February 5, after another foreign tourist encountered the remains on a beach beneath Na Phralan Viewpoint on Koh Samui. The witness immediately contacted officers from…

  • Phuket NewsSwedish man arrested in Phuket over alleged rape of fellow tourist | Thaiger

    Swedish man arrested in Phuket over alleged rape of fellow tourist

    Police arrested a Swedish man at a hotel in Phuket for the alleged rape of a woman from the same country, following a complaint filed earlier this week. The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday, February 5, after officers from Patong Police Station tracked down the suspect at a hotel on Na Nai 8 Road in Kathu district, Phuket. The 32…

  • Phuket NewsFilipina woman arrested at Phuket over theft and forged documents | Thaiger

    Filipina woman arrested at Phuket over theft and forged documents

    Police arrested a Filipina woman at the Phuket Immigration Office after discovering that she was wanted under an arrest warrant for theft and the use of forged documents while she was attempting to renew her visa. The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 3, when the woman visited the Phuket Immigration Office to apply for a visa renewal and extend her…

  • Thailand NewsConstruction site manager claims gun accident in worker’s death | Thaiger

    Construction site manager claims gun accident in worker’s death

    A construction site manager fatally shot a worker in Ubon Ratchathani and claimed the shooting was accidental, saying the gun discharged when he tried to slap the victim with the firearm. Officers from Mueang Ubon Ratchathani Police Station were called to investigate the fatal shooting at a construction site on Tuesday, February 4, after receiving a report from workers at the…